What are the Stations of the Cross - Prayers to SHARE for Lent to Remember Jesus' Sufferings

Stations of the Cross (or Way of the Cross; in Latin, Via Crucis; also called the Via Dolorosa) are artistic representations, showing Christ Carrying the Cross to His crucifixion. Many Roman Catholic churches have Stations of the Cross, placed at along the side walls of the Church. The tradition of moving around the Stations to commemorate the Passion of Christ began with St. Francis of Assisi. Some Lutherans and Anglicans also observe the practice. Lent, the 40 days before Easter, is when the "Stations" are typically prayed but it can be said any time through the year. In Jerusalem this is known as the "Via Sacra", or a specific way along which pilgrims walk meditating on the Lord's walk to His crucifixion. In the past the number of stations varied between seven and thirty; seven was common.  In 1731, Pope Clement XII extended to all churches the right to have the stations and adjusted them to fourteen.  Pope John Paul II referred to Acts of Reparation as the "unceasing effort to stand beside the endless crosses on which the Son of God continues to be crucified".
At each Station, the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be are prayed.
Also the faithful often bend the knee saying "We adore you o Christ and praise you because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world." The Church provides an Indulgence for the 14 Stations.
14 pictures or sculptures depicting the following scenes:

  • 1. Christ condemned to death;
  • 2. the cross is laid upon him;
  • 3. His first fall;
  • 4. He meets His Blessed Mother;
  • 5. Simon of Cyrene is made to bear the cross;
  • 6. Christ's face is wiped by Veronica;
  • 7. His second fall;
  • 8. He meets the women of Jerusalem;
  • 9. His third fall;
  • 10. He is stripped of His garments;
  • 11. His crucifixion;
  • 12. His death on the cross;
  • 13. His body is taken down from the cross; 
  • 14. Jesus is laid in the tomb
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